Anini’s tranquility is intoxicating. Residents spend warm afternoons watching stunning ocean scenes, taking in distant passing ships, humpback whales, and awe-inspiring waves breaking over the reef in the distance. Balmy evenings are spent around fires, enjoying good company, pau hana umbrella drinks or quietly appreciating Anini’s incredible peacefulness. Life at Anini is a little like the Hawaiiana of old. In fact, its real name is Wanini, but lore has it that the "W" fell of the sign not to be replaced and it's be Anini ever since.

Though there are no shops or eateries within Anini itself, many excellent retail and restaurant options are accessible in nearby communities like Kilauea, Princeville, and Hanalei.

Anini’s name means “stunted” in Hawaiian and stems from narrow Anini Beach, which runs for two glorious, unbroken miles. The 1,500-foot-wide reef just beyond the beach gives Anini North Shore’s calmest and warmest waters. It is also recognized as the largest coral reef in all of Hawaii. The calm waters and shallow shorefront mean that Anini Beach is one of the best places to swim on Kauai. Though equally as mesmerizing, it also tends to be much less crowded than beaches at Poipu or Hanalei. Anini Beach is a popular snorkeling and kayak spot, with sea turtles often visible in its waters. It’s also a windsurfing and kiting hotspot, as gentle breezes make it a fantastic place to learn. Children will find endless hours of entertainment on the beachfront, whether collecting shells, catching crabs, or building sandcastles. A tree- covered campground is located close to Anini Beach’s pristine sands as well.